Jurgen Klopp, if large swathes of the population are to be believed, is akin to a God. A great entertainer, yes. Charismatic, certainly. But, most importantly of all, is he a great manager? Could Klopp have taken Brendan Rodgers’ nearly men of 2013/14 that step further?So much about that question makes you want to scream YES. Rodgers was decidedly naive towards the latter stages as Liverpool dropped vital points to both Chelsea and Crystal Palace, whilst Klopp has shown a shrewdness – particularly in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final – that resembles a manager who has winning engrained in him. Klopp has won titles in Germany, he has taken a team to the Champions League final and he knows that, at times, philosophy must be overwritten by a desire to get your hands on much-sought-after silverware.The German is an immensely popular character and his football is as exciting as his press conferences, but what was it about Liverpool in 2013/14 that nearly saw them win the title in the most extraordinary run of form?They had a following wind, a tidal force if you like. The Anfield crowd was willing them towards the trophy and it took a slip and a remarkable comeback at Selhurst Park to cut it off. There is only so much that Klopp could have done differently, to be honest. As much as he is largely a better manager than Rodgers, that squad did not have enough quality throughout to win the league. Aside from the magnificent ‘SAS’ in the attacking third, the defence was leaky and the midfield was being patrolled by a geriatric Steven Gerrard. Klopp, despite his tactical ingenuity, would’ve struggled to sealÂup that Liverpool defence.The German has clearly improved Liverpool this season, but this squad is far more balanced than that in 2013/14. This squad has a lot of talent throughout – with a slight weakness at centre-back – and Klopp hasn’t really turned the tables as much as some may have expected in the league. The impressive outcome in the Europa League shows that Klopp has the pragmatism that Rodgers lacked and perhaps that is where heÂwould’ve won them the league.Liverpool getting into the position they were before that Chelsea embarrassment was a force of sporting nature. They were surfing a perfect tidal wave and the outstanding performances of Luis Suarez were so irresistible that it looked like they would waltz the league. If we assume that Klopp could’ve reached that same point – which is doing Rodgers’ management a slight disservice – he would surely have won.For all of his counter-pressing, flying attacking football and advanced full-backs, Klopp would’ve realised that the kitchen sink did not need to be thrown at Chelsea from the off. Klopp would’ve been aware that at 3-0 up away to Crystal Palace, they did not need to continue to launch attack after attack. Rodgers’ failings were demonstrated perfectly in that game. Liverpool’s 50 goals conceded in the 2013/14 season were the second most of any top eight side and that was the real downfall.Klopp may well have won the league in 2013/14. Rodgers should not be forgotten for the enthralling run of games that he provided Liverpool fans with in the early months of 2014, however. It was remarkable that Liverpool came so close with the side they had, but having the two top goalscorers in the Premier League sure did help.The former Dortmund manager would’ve won the league had he been handed Liverpool with three games to go. As much as Rodgers should be remembered in Liverpool’s history for nearly pulling off an against-the-odds title, everyone will remember him for being the man who naively threw away a Premier League win.

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